Dr. Janet “Jan” M. Woodard, 75, died peacefully at Cumberland House on Feb. 15, 2018 in Crossville, Tennessee. She was born on Sept. 2, 1942, in Burlington, to John C. and Margaret M. Wiechert.
She graduated from East Troy High School in 1960. After graduation she entered the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1968. She later attended graduate school at the University of Colorado.
After earning her doctorate in 1987, she obtained a faculty position at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She taught at the university until her retirement in 2006. She was passionate about her students and her ability to provide them opportunities to pursue their dreams. In addition to teaching and research, she acted as a judge for the state science fair.
Janet married Robert (Bob) Woodard on May 9, 1987, at Chapel on the Rock in Allenspark, Colorado. They spent the next 30 years together enjoying their mutual interests, golf and travel. Their trips included sight-seeing journeys through Europe, fly-in fishing for walleye in Canada, and deep-sea fishing off the coast of Florida.
Working at St. Cloud State University allowed Janet to pursue her twin passions, education and college hockey.
A regular at University of Wisconsin hockey games as a student she quickly became a fan of the St. Cloud State University Huskies (although not when they played the Wisconsin Badgers). Anyone who knew Janet knew she was a highly competitive person. Whether bowling, playing cards, or a round of golf Janet played to win. Her competitiveness led her to regularly playing in the Minnesota State Golf Tournament. During four decades of golfing she had two holes in one, an accomplishment that gave her great satisfaction.
Janet is survived by her husband; sons, James A. Collins of Denver, Colorado and Jeffery T. Collins of Fayetteville, Arkansas; granddaughters, Erin E. Farmer and Zoe A. Farmer, both of Fayetteville, Arkansas; brother, John C. Wiechert Jr. of Letts, Iowa, and sisters, Judy A. Lauritsen of Shreveport, Louisiana, Joanne M. Kohl of Monroe, and Jean A. Wiechert of Madison.
A memorial service is planned for Sunday, Aug. 5, in East Troy. Per her wishes, Janet was cremated and her ashes will be interned near her parents at the Saint Peter Catholic Cemetery in East Troy.
All who knew her are welcome to attend and join in the remembrance of Janet. For details, email janetwoodardmemorial@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Heart Association (donatenow.heart.org) in her name are suggested.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Cumberland House hospice for the compassion they showed Janet during her final days.
